Raymond W Tucker, Jr, incumbent candidate for USOA Executive Vice President.

For those who do not know me, let me introduce myself and my involvement in USOA. I have been a member of the USOA since 1980, was elected Secretary in 1985, and have served as the Executive Vice President since 1992. I have served the USOA as Chair of the Technical Committee, which oversea CMAS Certification in the USA, written and edited the USOA Bylaws, and Standardized Competitive Rules, edited most USOA Competitive Committee Rules, and served as the USOA Parliamentarian. I oversaw the successful resolution of the Mutiny lawsuit. I have participated in , U/W Rugby and .

By vocation, I received a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ in 1973. While at Steven’s, I became familiar with the work of the world renowned Davidson Laboratory which studies how marine craft and marine and coastal structures interact with their environment. I retired after 35 years of military and civilian service from Air Research Laboratory, Information Directorate, Rome, NY, where I participated in research and development in Satellite Communication, Smart Weapon System Guidance, and Intelligence Reconnaissance activities.

By avocation, I was certified as a SCUBA Diver in 1970, Assistant Instructor in 1986 and a YMCA SCUBA Instructor in 1991. In addition, I have and Tri-Mix diving gas certifications and am Full Cave certified. I have over 2500 logged dives from Caribbean and ocean environments to in New York waters. I have a special love of and shipwrecks.

I am a founder and Treasurer of the Central NY SCUBA Club (CNYSC), and past President, Secretary and currently Treasurer of the New York State Divers Association (NYSDA, a USOA Council.) In addition, I am a Trustee, CFO and 20 year past Treasurer of the Beneath the Sea Dive and Travel Show now in its 45th year of providing continuing education to both and general population in support of diving and the aquatic environment. Through USOA and BTS I am also a member and participant in the and Marketing Association (DEMA), diving’s national trade organization. I am currently a member of the proposed NOAA Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Committee.

I currently reside in Central New York State where the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway, and the many fresh water lakes and rivers provide excellent diving and a glimpse of history as far back as the Revolutionary War. Through the friendship and sharing of divers across the , I have enjoyed diving the Florida Keys and coastal areas, Central Florida caverns, caves, springs and sink holes, Northern California coastal diving and Southern California Channel Islands, and participated in a Midwest Council SCUBA competition. From these and future diving experiences, I hope to continue representing all divers of the USA. My extensive experience as Secretary and Executive Vice President make me uniquely qualified to continue in the office.